"MACRO is a team of trained, unarmed civilians who respond to non-emergency 911 calls, providing assistance to residents in the form of medical and mental health support and connections to social services. The program is intended to reduce the use of police, freeing up officers to address violent crime and more serious emergencies."
"Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee announced Friday that she partnered with Assemblymember Mia Bonta and state Senator Jesse Arreguín to secure the funding through the state budget process. Lee extended thanks to Arreguín in a press statement. "This investment represents far more than financial support as it is an affirmation of a community-centered approach to public safety that prioritizes care, compassion, and equity," she said."
"MACRO's budget this year is $5.4 million, and $6.8 million next year. The $1 million state appropriation represents about 8% of the program's total two-year budget. The city said it will use the money to "expand MACRO's reach, strengthen services for the city's most vulnerable residents, and build on the program's proven track record of connecting community members to care rather than enforcement.""
Oakland's Mobile Assistance Community Responders (MACRO) received a $1 million state appropriation secured by Mayor Barbara Lee with Assemblymember Mia Bonta and state Senator Jesse Arreguín. MACRO deploys trained, unarmed civilians to respond to non-emergency 911 calls, offering medical and mental-health assistance and connections to social services to reduce police involvement. The city plans to expand MACRO's reach and strengthen services for vulnerable residents. MACRO's budget is $5.4 million this year and $6.8 million next year; the new grant equals about 8% of that two-year budget. Past state support included a $10 million grant in 2022. Critics say the program is underutilized, receives few 911 referrals, and concentrates responses downtown.
Read at The Oaklandside
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